Research Information System
JOURNAL OF GEOGRAPHY-COGRAFYA DERGISI, no.44, pp.49-60, 2022 (ESCI)
Midyat city, where people from different faiths and origins live together, is famous for its traditional stone houses with masonry walls, vaulted and flat roofs. The city is located in the Southeastern Anatolia region of Turkey. The effect of local geographical factors on traditional Midyat houses was investigated in this study. The research is mostly based on field observations and measurements. The climate of the region is semi-arid. Living spaces have been created as suitable for the climate in traditional houses. The houses built on the slopes have a wide view. The Eocene limestones, which form the bedrock in the region, form the main building material of traditional houses. Under some houses, there are caves carved into the bedrock. Until the mid-20th century, local geographical factors played a dominant role in the architectural design of houses. However, increasing migration and technological developments since the 1950s have caused the owners and user characteristics of some houses to change. Therefore, some new arrangements and additions have been made in traditional houses. Since the 2000s, the construction techniques have changed and traditional-looking but non-traditional stone-clad houses have increased. Recent years, the use of traditional houses for tourism purposes has created an important opportunity for their sustainable use.